Out of lineup for opener, Aybar ready to return

ANAHEIM -- Erick Aybar was out of the starting lineup for a third straight day on Monday, a precaution for the sore right groin the Angels' shortstop sustained while reaching first base on a ninth-inning single against the Mariners on Friday night.

Prior to batting practice, though, Aybar did some light agility drills on the field with strength-and-conditioning coordinator T.J. Harrington, then took some batting practice and felt good. The 30-year-old -- an All-Star for the first time while sporting a .283/.320/.409 slash line -- pinch-hit in the ninth inning of Monday night's 4-2 loss and expects to return to the starting lineup on Tuesday.

The groin initially bothered the switch-hitter while batting from the right side of the plate.

"But I'm good now, from both sides," said Aybar, who grounded out while batting from the right side on Monday. "I'll be ready to go tomorrow. They told me one more day, and then tomorrow I'll [return to the starting lineup]. But I'm ready for whatever they need today, too."

Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Gonzo and "The Show", and follow him on Twitter @Alden_Gonzalez. Associate reporter Matthew DeFranks contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.